News Update
December 13, 2012
Phil Trowbridge to Lead the American Angus Association
Just 130 miles north of the New York City hustle and bustle is where Phil Trowbridge, and Trowbridge Angus, calls home. Past the city skyline, the pace slows and rural life begins. In the small town of Ghent, N.Y., the Trowbridge family is now in its fifth generation of Angus breeders.
Recently elected as the American Angus Association Board of Directors President and Chairman, Phil Trowbridge has been involved with Angus cattle since 1955. That year his dad, Paul Trowbridge Sr., purchased the family’s first Angus cow. It was initially a 4-H project for Phil’s older brother, Paul Jr., but enthusiasm for the breed soon spread to all nine of the Trowbridge children.
“Angus is one of the breeds of cattle that has become such a dominant figure in the beef industry, because of its predictability and efficiency,” Phil says.
“If you talk to anyone who feeds cattle, they want to feed Angus because they are predictable, and that comes from the extensive database we’ve established in Saint Joseph, Mo.”
Prior to his position as president and chairman, Phil served as vice president and vice chairman of the Board. He was elected, along with five new members and officers, to lead the Association during its 129th Annual Meeting of Delegates in Louisville, Ky.
NCBA Invites Youth to Compete in 2013 Contests
Helping young people prepare for future leadership roles in agriculture is a key part of ensuring the beef industry continues to be progressive. As part of its role in shaping the future of the cattle industry, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) will host a number of youth contests at the 2013 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. NCBA encourages all youth interested in agriculture to participate in the NCBA youth contests that will take place Feb. 6-9, 2013, in Tampa, Fla.
The 2013 contests include public speaking, team marketing, beef quiz bowl and cattle judging. Each contest offers a number of different age divisions allowing youth from 4-H members to college students to participate. NCBA President J.D. Alexander said the NCBA youth contests are where future industry leaders can come together to showcase their talents. “The NCBA youth contests put the spotlight on young people who are smart, talented and committed to American agriculture and the future of the beef industry,” said Alexander. “I encourage everyone to participate in the contests and take advantage of this educational opportunity.”
The 2013 youth contests are sponsored by Farm Credit and open to anyone who meets the age requirements and is present at the 2013 Cattle Industry Convention. To register for the 2013 NCBA youth contests or for more information, visit www.beefusa.org or contact Lorie Liddicoat at lliddicoat@beef.org.
Mid-America Alfalfa Expo & Conference
Announces Impressive 2013 Program Line-Up
The Mid-America Alfalfa Expo & Conference has announced its program for the 2013 event, which features a special presentation of the Alfalfa Intensive Training Seminar, an industry trade show and tremendous fundraising auction.
Sponsored by the Nebraska Alfalfa Marketing Association (NAMA.), the Mid-America Alfalfa Expo & Conference will be at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds in Kearney, Neb., Feb. 5 and 6, 2013. The event is designed especially for alfalfa producers, livestock/dairy producers and others who are involved in alfalfa production, purchasing, hay feeding or processing.
The featured presenter for the 2013 event will be Dan Undersander, professor of agronomy at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Over the course of the two days, Undersander will present a variety of sessions, which are part of the Alfalfa Intensive Training Seminar developed for the National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance. Key topics addressed will include managing drought effects, trace mineral impact, pest management, alfalfa in rotations and contract harvesting. Additional presentations will include information from soil water/irrigation and animal nutrition experts and a panel discussion featuring a mix of alfalfa producers and purchasers from across the nation.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Second Beef Improvement and
Low Stress Cattle Handling Seminar
University of California–Davis (UC Davis) Livestock Medicine & Surgery Service, in conjunction with FARM Club and Behavior Medicine Club, presents the 2nd Annual Beef Improvement & Low Stress Cattle Handling Seminar. The event will take place Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, in Gladys Valley Hall at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. The event will feature a full day of speakers, and attendees can receive Beef Quality Assurance Certification and Recertification for the California Cattleman’s Association. There is a discount for early entries so be sure to register by January 1. However, registration will be accepted up until the day of the event.
For more information and a registration form, click here.
‘beefSD’ Offered for Beginning Ranchers
South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension is now accepting applications for the second class of “beefSD,” a two-year educational program designed specifically for beginning beef producers. The first class of beefSD was initiated in 2011. Participants in Class 1 have indicated that it has been a valuable and rewarding learning experience.
Participation is limited to representatives from 20 beef enterprises (individuals, couples or siblings welcome). Beginning ranchers with less than 10 years of experience and a strong desire to begin or further develop beef cattle enterprises are encouraged to apply to the program.
The goals are to provide participants with opportunities to learn more about various segments of the beef cattle industry, evaluate a variety of beef cattle production systems, and further develop knowledge and abilities related to management of individual operations.
Participants will complete an intensive two-year curriculum. The program will focus on providing participants with relevant, timely information in the areas of livestock production, natural resource stewardship, marketing, financial management, business, and risk and legal management. Programming will consist of six major components:
- Interactive educational workshops;
- Case studies and evaluation of alternative beef cattle production systems;
- Mentoring by established ranchers and other agriculture professionals, including the formation of individual management teams;
- Postweaning calf performance evaluation including feedlot, carcass and meat characteristics;
- Interactive, web-based learning, including webinars, podcasts and other computer applications;
- Study trips focused on various sectors of the U.S. beef cattle industry.
The program is made possible in part by a grant received by SDSU Extension, in partnership with the South Dakota Farm Bureau, from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
Application deadline is Jan. 4, 2013. Application forms are available by contacting SDSU Extension Beef Specialist Ken Olson at the West River Ag Center, or 605-394-2236; beefSD Project Coordinator Stacy Hadrick, or 605-347-1195, or SDSU Research/Extension Associate Janna Kincheloe, or 605-394-2236. Applications are also available online at the South Dakota Farm Bureau's website. The program is scheduled to begin in February 2013.
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